If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When I am eleven, my parents send me to a girls-only, two-week camp nestled in the North Georgia mountains. Although I am terribly homesick the first day or so, I soon make friends and plunge myself head-long into all the many and varied activities offered.
And, I excel in all the sports we play.
Except one.
Archery.
No matter how carefully I pull back the arrow in its bow, take aim, and let fly, I almost never hit the target.
And, you can forget the bulls-eye . . .
Why am I so lousy at archery?
Because, I am woefully nearsighted and need to be wearing my glasses.
Glasses I hate. I think they make me look ugly. Dorky.
So, because of pride and vanity, I continue to miss the mark.
Pastor Wallace tells us that the Greek word for "sin" literally means "missing the mark". No matter whether our sin arrows elude the target completely or miss the bulls-eye by a hair, we've missed.
Completely. Entirely.
Just as we have to collect our shot arrows at camp, we need to bundle up our sins and confess them to God.
Only He can forgive us.
Purify us from all unrighteousness.
Give us the glasses we need to wear to see sin for what it is.
And, to clearly see the mark He wants us to make.
Not miss.
~
Do you wear glasses or contacts on a daily basis?
Will you join me in prayer?
When we fall into sin, Father, and miss the mark, let us come running to You in confession and ask for forgiveness. Don't let our pride or ego become a blinding stumbling block. Open the eyes of our heart to see the mark You would have us make. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 106:1-18 or 106:19-48
Ezekiel 33:1-11
1 John 1:1-10
Matthew 9:27-34
Ooo I remember my spiritual guide whenever she asks me if I could see things better whenever I removed my glasses... now I understood that it has a deeper meaning.
ReplyDeleteI miss the mark most of the time... and still do... but I know God never gives up on me. He continues to show me the board til I hit bull's eye...ooo lesson learned.
I pray with you...thank you Martha for pointing this out.
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa!
DeleteWhat prompted me to make this analogy is that, in this same sermon, Pastor Wallace put on some glasses which he said would enable him to see sin in all of us - joking, of course, and we all had a good laugh. But, it did make me think how blind we can all be to our own shortcomings and how we do need the Lord to help us see what we must do to make His mark.
Blessings to you!
good analogy... over the last year I've literally reached the point of HAVING to wear my glasses or ever I see is out of focus and I eventually end up with a head ache.
ReplyDeleteI am more of the Spiritual Christian type... I am more comfortable having a relationship with God outside of organized religion. I have missed the mark a lot causing lots of harm and hurt. I live my life today sharing with others in hopes of helping and by living my amends. I know God forgives me; I've asked for it, and live my life differently. I know he never gives up on me, because I've experienced too many God shots to believe differently!
I've also learned that I am ME... no matter where I go there I am and I don't want to fit into any certain mold; I guess it is the Rebel in me!
Thanks so much for coming by today, Amy!
DeleteEvery one of us have missed the mark in our lives, so don't feel alone in that! And, yes, thank goodness God forgives us and will guide us in the right way when we lean on Him.
You are uniquely you, Amy - He made you that way. :)
Blessings to you!
I don't wear glasses but I have someone who just hates it and thinks exactly what you described here. Will share this for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a beautiful prayer - AMEN
Thanks for stopping by, Me!
DeleteOh, I'm so glad you can share this with someone who needs this advice. Makes me feel great!
Thanks, too, for praying with me.
Blessings to you!
This post coming with Mary's pic of her glasses made me smile. I prided myself on not wearing spectacles. When I was forty I was told I needed reading glasses which I wore. By forty two I was told that I need cataract surgery in both eyes. I now have implants and use spectacles. I think it gives me a better view of life ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm also thinking of the log and the mote story, Martha. So easy to see other people's 'sins' and ignore our own.
Thanks so much, Corinne, for visiting today!
DeleteThat is quite the coincidence with Mary's hilarious photo today. :)
Wow! You went through cataract surgery at such a young age! My doctor has told me I have them, but can wait several years before anything will have to be done. I wear contacts for distance and readers to see close up. Just thankful that I can see.
And, yes, this does sound like the log and the mote story. Great observation!
Blessings to you!
As a child it was my dream to wear glasses. I remember acting in class as if I wasn't able to read what's written on the blackboard, but I had good eyes and it never worked :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in, Nikky!
DeleteLol! Just the opposite of me! I think I was self-conscious because one of my eyes is much worse than the other and it always gave a lop-sided, coke-bottle look to the lenses.
Blessings to you!
HI, Martha! ~
ReplyDeleteGreat little post! I've heard that definition of sin before -- 'missing the mark' -- and I believe if more people understood that there would be less guilt and more progress toward empowerment in the world. Thank you for sharing! XO
Thanks for stopping by today, Linda!
DeleteYes! Once we realize we all miss the mark when we strive to do good and be good all on our own, we can turn to God to set us on the straight course and headed for His bulls-eye.
Blessings to you!
Martha, I like how you have put it: bundle your sins. I was thinking about an actual bundle and my bundle was huge!Food for thought..great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping in, Nelieta, and hope you are enjoying every moment of your vacation in Russia. Your photos are grand!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the post and hope to see you at Meditations of my Heart which I am just about to launch.
Blessings to you!